STOCKHOLM -- KPN has signed a three-year contract with Ericsson for the delivery and management of a Voice over IP platform for businesses. This contract constitutes a major step towards the creation of an All IP environment, in which all communications, including voice telephony, are routed through an IP-based network. The services offered via this VoIP platform are an extension of the Business InternetPlusBellen package launched earlier this year.

Businesses with an IP telephone switchboard will be able to route their IP voice traffic through KPN’s IP network. The platform also guarantees interconnectivity with the public telephone network, meaning that business customers can (practically) dispense with their traditional voice telephony infrastructure. The platform offers high-quality voice over IP using SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) technology.

With this platform, KPN offers businesses a complete, end-to-end managed IP solution, catering to the need of a large group of entrepreneurs for less hassle and a simpler communications infrastructure.

The first customers will be connected in the course of this year.

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In time, users of this new platform will be able to communicate with consumers and other businesses in ways that they can currently only can within their own company. Examples are video calls and videoconferencing. It will also be possible to share presence information: connecting the email program to the telephone number at which people can be reached, for example, reveals whether they are behind their desks or not.

ICT partner for business customers

Eelco Blok, member of KPN’s Board of Management: ‘With this solution, our business customers can optimize their business processes and minimize the total cost of ownership of their ICT infrastructure. For them, this constitutes a major step towards an All-IP world. The advantage for KPN is that this solution assists us in our aim to be a key ICT partner for business customers. We have opted for Ericsson because they offer brand-independent connecting of IP telephone switchboards, and because their solution is based on SIP technology. Ericsson will be managing the solution to enable a quick rollout.’

Nils de Baar, president of Ericsson Netherlands: ‘We are proud to have been chosen by KPN to deliver and manage their VoIP platform. We are also pleased to be a part of this important development towards an All-IP network in the Netherlands. It is a confirmation of our market leadership in terms of both technology and managed services.’

Ericsson AB (Nasdaq: ERIC)